The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

Wei Zheng left with a sullen face.

Judging from this expression, Li Shimin is likely to have a rough time ahead.

Chen Huai'an was overjoyed.

It turns out that people really can't help but laugh when they're doing something bad.

Just as he was happily preparing to return to the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Anan approached him, bowing low: "Duke Anguo, His Majesty requests your presence."

Chen Huai'an was taken aback: "Okay, I'll be right there."

"Duke Anguo, please. The carriage is ready." Zhang Anan gestured for him to proceed.

Chen Huai'an followed him and they arrived at the Xiande Hall of the East Palace.

He had thought Li Shimin intended to question him about Feng Deyi's secret dealings with Li Jiancheng, but Li Shimin didn't mention it at all. As soon as he arrived and sat down, Li Shimin asked a question that surprised him:

"Huai'an, are you... interested in taking over Feng Deyi's position?"

Chen Huai'an shook his head repeatedly: "Your Majesty, really, let's forget about it. I've already been promoted fast enough. If I were to take over Feng Deyi's position, many people would be envious."

Back when Chen Huai'an followed Li Jiancheng, he was just a sixth-rank official in the Crown Prince's Chamberlain's Office. However, the position of Crown Prince's Chamberlain was special because he was a close advisor to the Crown Prince and thus had the power to participate in confidential matters.

When Li Shimin became the crown prince, his position remained the same, but he was given a nominal post in the Hongwen Academy. Only after Li Shimin ascended the throne could he become the Minister of Works.

He already has two departments under his control, and he's busy enough as it is. He really doesn't want to be a prime minister.

Li Shimin stared at him intently for a couple of breaths, then asked seriously, "I don't believe you would care about these things. I'm not testing you; I'm sincere. Do you really not want to be prime minister?"

"I don't want to," Chen Huai'an replied firmly. "Your Majesty should know me. I don't have such lofty ambitions. As the Minister of Works and Minister of Revenue, my voice is already quite loud, which is enough for me to focus on my work."

"The position of prime minister is unsuitable for me."

Li Shimin sighed helplessly. He did have the urge to appoint Chen Huai'an as prime minister because he felt the same way as the aristocratic families.

Chen Huai'an is such a strange person!

Appointing him as prime minister might bring Li Shimin a different kind of surprise.

However, since Chen Huai'an refused, Li Shimin did not want to force him.

Because after acting impulsively, one still has to consider practical issues.

Chen Huai'an is too young. Now that he has become prime minister, what will he do in the future?

Given Chen Huai'an's abilities, who can guarantee that he won't continue to make contributions in the future?

The current situation is indeed one that everyone can accept.

After thinking for a moment, Li Shimin asked again, "Then who do you think would be the best candidate for the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"

"Your Majesty... I do not know..."

"Don't waste your breath on me, there are no outsiders here." Li Shimin pursed his lips. He was a sentimental person, but also a man who didn't care about formalities.

Chen Huai'an was speechless: "Then I will speak the truth. According to seniority, Xiao Yu is the most suitable candidate for promotion. But in reality, Changsun Wuji has made great contributions. His seniority and achievements are both excellent, so there is no problem in promoting him."

"But the most suitable candidates would be Fang and Du."

"Why?" Li Shimin asked. "Why are Xuanling and Keming the most suitable candidates, rather than Fuji?"

From this sentence, Chen Huai'an could clearly tell that Li Shimin wanted to promote Changsun Wuji.

It's understandable, considering they grew up together and weathered many storms together. Plus, Li Shimin values ​​relationships, so it's quite reasonable for him to want to promote Changsun Wuji.

Chen Huai'an said tactfully, "Promoting Brother Fuji is naturally no problem, but I'm afraid... Her Majesty the Empress won't agree."

"Why should she disagree!" Li Shimin's eyebrows shot up. "I'm appointing Fu Ji as prime minister. How could she, an empress, possibly interfere in court affairs?"

Chen Huai'an twitched the corner of his mouth. "Let's see if he believes that."

Once you two are behind closed doors and in bed, how much has Empress Zhangsun interfered in court affairs?

In the Tang Dynasty, no one dared to underestimate Empress Zhangsun.

You see, Wei Zheng often makes Li Shimin red-faced and thick-necked with his criticisms, but have you ever seen Wei Zheng criticize Empress Zhangsun?

Look at those fierce and ruthless soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, who would dare to disrespect Empress Zhangsun?

This woman has been with Li Shimin since she was thirteen, helping him stabilize the rear.

"I was merely expressing my own humble opinion. If Your Majesty finds it inappropriate, you may simply disregard it," Chen Huai'an said with a dry cough.

"Whoever Your Majesty intends to promote, I will support you, and I hope Your Majesty the Empress will do the same."

Li Shimin: "..."

He laughed in exasperation: "Are you so sure Guanyinbi wouldn't agree?"

Chen Huai'an chuckled and said, "I dare not be certain. I just feel that Her Majesty the Empress is a virtuous empress worthy of Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wants to promote others, Her Majesty the Empress will certainly not interfere. However, if Your Majesty promotes Her Majesty's elder brother, Fu Ji, who is a relative of the empress... Her Majesty the Empress may not agree."

Li Shimin's expression changed slightly.

Chen Huai'an did not argue with him, but instead said that Empress Zhangsun was a virtuous empress worthy of him. This both flattered him and praised Empress Zhangsun, and Li Shimin could not find any fault with it.

The key point is that Chen Huai'an has already given his reasons.

As a truly virtuous empress, how could she allow her relatives to become too powerful for her own selfish reasons?

Li Shimin remained silent.

After a moment, he sighed and said, "You should go back now. I'll think about it."

"Your subject takes his leave."

Watching Chen Huai'an's departing figure, Li Shimin frowned and thought for a moment. He then turned around, got up, and found Empress Zhangsun, who was teaching her daughter to read and write.

"Ah!"

When Xiao Lizhi saw Li Shimin, her big eyes immediately lit up, and she rushed over to him.

"Sigh." Li Shimin held his daughter, and his mood improved a lot.

However, he had important business to attend to today. After teasing his daughter for a moment, he said, "Lizhi, why don't you go out for a bit? Your father and mother have something to discuss, okay?"

Xiao Lizhi glanced at Empress Zhangsun, then at Li Shimin, and obediently agreed.

After Xiao Lizhi left, Li Shimin sat down next to Empress Zhangsun, took his wife's hand, and pondered, "Today in court, Feng Deyi died, and the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is now vacant."

"This is giving me quite a headache."

Empress Zhangsun was incredibly clever; in the blink of an eye, she understood her husband's thoughts: "Your Majesty intends to promote my elder brother to the position of prime minister?"

Upon hearing the title "Your Majesty," Li Shimin immediately realized that Chen Huai'an was probably right; Empress Zhangsun would not agree.

But he still wanted to try: "Fuji and I are like brothers. In terms of seniority and merit, he is no less than anyone else. Why shouldn't I appoint him as prime minister?"

Empress Zhangsun, not wanting to directly oppose Li Shimin, said gently, "But what about Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xiao Yu, and Mr. Chen Huai'an? What are they lacking?"

"Why don't you consider it, Erlang?"

Li Shimin's face darkened: "Guanyinbi!"

"I am the Emperor!"

"..."